Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Promotion and Prevention in Health Psychology
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Introduction
Traditionally, Psychology has been associated with an approach focused solely on disease and diagnosis. The subject Promotion and Prevention in Health Psychology seeks to provide students a holistic and comprehensive view of mental health. Students will acquire knowledge about prevention and health promotion, as well as the necessary tools to design professional and quality interventions in their future professional practice as a psychologist.
Pre-course requirements
No specific prerequisites are established beyond the admission requirements for the University Master’s Degree in General Health Psychology.
Objectives
- Understand the foundations of health promotion and the prevention of psychological health problems.
- Identify the main risk and protective factors involved in psychological well-being throughout the life cycle.
- Analyse the influence of biological, relational, social, cultural, existential and digital factors on psychological health.
- Become familiar with prevention strategies applicable to different problems and contexts, such as anxiety, violence, behavioural addictions and interpersonal conflict.
- Develop the skills required to design and implement initiatives aimed at promoting well-being and preventing psychological difficulties from a comprehensive, evidence-based perspective.
- Incorporate a perspective sensitive to gender, diversity and social inequalities into preventive approaches.
- Foster the development of healthy relationships, personal resources and emotional regulation strategies as protective factors for health.
- Reflect on the role of the general health psychologist in health promotion, prevention and psychoeducation at individual, group and community levels.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN01 - Identify advanced knowledge that provides a basis or opportunity for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context.
- CN03 - Distinguish in depth the psychological nature of human behavior and its disorders, as well as the biological, social, and psychosocial factors influencing health and illness, with special attention to their impact on mental health.
- CP01 - Communicate one's own conclusions, as well as the knowledge and rationale underpinning them, to specialized and general audiences in a clear, precise, and unambiguous manner, taking into account cutting-edge information and communication technologies in the clinical and healthcare field.
- CP02 - Work from the perspective of quality and continuous improvement, demonstrating autonomous and self-critical learning skills for responsible and effective professional performance in the clinical and healthcare field.
- CP03 - Work in multidisciplinary groups in the clinical and healthcare field, critically and constructively evaluating one's own work and that of other professionals, and identifying both personal and professional strengths and limitations in professional practice.
- CP04 - Implement strategies and mechanisms in the clinical and healthcare field to promote gender equality, equity, and respect for diversity, using inclusive and non-discriminatory language in professional practice.
- CP05 - Apply an integral health concept, including its biopsychosocial components, in accordance with the guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- CP07 - Apply information and communication technologies in professional performance, implementing digital tools for better patient care and management.
- CP09 - Manage referral to the corresponding specialist professional, demonstrating knowledge of the role of the general health psychologist in different contexts.
- CP10 - Communicate effectively with other professionals, demonstrating skills necessary for teamwork and multidisciplinary groups.
- CP13 - Implement promotion and education activities for psychological health, at both individual and community levels, promoting mental well-being and the prevention of psychological disorders.
- CP14 - Apply the principles of human rights, democratic values, and sustainable development in professional practice, promoting a culture of peace and ensuring inclusive and sustainable environments that respect the dignity of all people in the healthcare field.
- HB01 - Apply acquired knowledge to address problems in multidisciplinary contexts, interpreting information that is often incomplete or limited, and identifying ethical aspects and social responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge and judgments.
- HB04 - Demonstrate advanced interpersonal communication and emotion management skills with patients, relatives, and caregivers, ensuring person-centered care throughout the entire process of psychological evaluation, diagnosis, intervention, and follow-up.
- HB05 - Use previously critically examined clinical information sources, evaluating their relevance and validity for professional practice.
- HB07 - Demonstrate a solid ethical and professional commitment by assuming civic and social responsibilities, contributing to the construction of a more just and equal society from the field of health psychology.
Learning outcomes of the subject
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Describe the origins of the salutogenic perspective and its multidisciplinary intervention model in health promotion, highlighting its preventive and positive approach.
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Apply health promotion approaches to adults by designing prevention programmes adapted to the different stages of the life cycle.
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Distinguish between positive psychology interventions and other appreciative, interactional and systemic psychosocial models for promoting individual and community mental health.
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Design psychoeducational programmes for adults, considering preventive health and well-being promotion throughout the life cycle and incorporating a gender perspective.
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Promote inclusive situations and environments for sustainable development by creating effective, responsible and inclusive contexts at all levels.
Syllabus
Block I. Foundations of psychological health promotion and prevention
Conceptual foundations and models of psychological health promotion and prevention. The salutogenic perspective, risk and protective factors, psychological well-being, and the design of preventive interventions.
Block II. Body, neurobiology, and psychological health
The relationship between bodily, neurobiological, and psychological processes. Hormones and emotional well-being, and anxiety prevention.
Block III. Bonds, relationships, and psychological health
The influence of bonds and interpersonal relationships on psychological health. Gender and abuse, prevention of behavioural addictions, conflict resolution, and the promotion of healthy relationships.
Block IV. Existential dimension and emotional repair
An exploration of the existential dimension of psychological well-being and emotional repair processes.
Block V. Digital health
The impact of digital environments and technologies on psychological health. Promotion of healthy use and prevention of associated risks.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
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Teaching methodologies |
Training activities |
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Lecture (CM) |
(AD) |
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Collaborative Learning (CA) |
(ACE) |
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Case Method (MC) |
Autonomous Learning (AA) |
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Autonomous Learning (AA) |
(AE) |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
1st CALL
- Exam: multiple-choice questions and some open-ended or case-based questions. The exam will account for 100% of the final grade. To pass the course, students must obtain a grade above 5.
- Attendance: attendance will be monitored. In order to be eligible to take the exam, students must have attended 80% of the classes.
2nd CALL
- Exam: multiple-choice questions and some open-ended or case-based questions. The exam will account for 100% of the final grade. To pass the course, students must obtain a grade above 5.
- No honor with distinction
Bibliography and resources
De Witte, N. A. J., Joris, S., Van Assche, E., & Van Daele, T. (2021). Technological and Digital Interventions for Mental Health and Wellbeing: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. Frontiers in digital health, 3, 754337. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2021.754337
González, C. (2012). Bésame mucho (nueva presentación). Grupo Planeta.
Gutman, L. (2020). La maternidad y el encuentro con la propia sombra. Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial Argentina.
Insel, T. (2022). Healing: Our Path from Mental Illness to Mental Health. Penguin Press
Nelson, R.J. (2011). An introduction to behavioral endocrinology (4th ed.). Sinauer Associates.
Olza, I. (2017). Parir: El poder del parto (edición actualizada). Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial España.
Pallarés Molins, E. (2016). El perdón como fortaleza humana. Bilbao: Ediciones Mensajero
Pfaff, D. W., & Joels, M. (2016). Hormones, brain and behavior. Academic Press
Raczynski, J. & DiClemente, R. (1999). Handbook of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Springer.
Torous, J., Bucci, S., Bell, I. H., Kessing, L. V., Faurholt‐Jepsen, M., Whelan, P., & Firth, J. (2021). The growing field of digital psychiatry: current evidence and the future of apps, social media, chatbots, and virtual reality. World Psychiatry, 20(3), 318-335. doi: 10.1002/wps.20883
Worthington, E. L., Jr. (2020). An update of the REACH Forgiveness model: Psychoeducation in groups, do-it-yourself formats, couple enrichment, religious congregations, and as an adjunct to psychotherapy. In E. L. Worthington, Jr. & N. G. Wade (Eds.), Handbook of forgiveness (pp. 277–287). Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.